Stitching machine



April 9, 1946. 'W, R; SPlLLER ETAL 2,393,053

STITGHING MACHINE Filed May 31 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet l v ATTORNEYS April 9, 1946. w. R. SPILLER ET AL STITCHING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1943' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYJ April 9, 1946.

R. SPILLER ET AL 2,398,053 STITCHING MACHINE I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' Filed May 51, 1943 Patentecl Apr. 9, 1946 STITCHING MACHINE William R. Spiller and Leo D. Barley, Dayton,

Ohio, assignors to Harris-Seybold-Potter Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application May 31, 1943, Serial No. 489,116

12 Claims.

This invention relates to wire stitching machines.

It is frequently found in the use of stitching machines that instead of being able to feed the work to a machine which is mounted in a relatively fixed position on the floor, it becomes desirable to bring the machine to the work. It may be desired to move the machine with the work, or merely to be able to manipulate the machine to a definite position with respect to the work, one for example to which access should be difficult with the machines of the usual type of construction. Further, it is sometimes desirable to form and drive the stitches in an inverted position or at an angle intermediate that and the normal upright position. The machine of the present invention is made to accomplish these and other similar stitching operations, as well as being usable in the normal manner; and hence is adapted for universal application. At the same time the machine is not a mere portable or hand machine, but is arranged to be properly supported from a base, an overhead support, a swinging arm, or the like, provision being made for properly moving the machine into the desired position in either case. It is preferably supported for adjustment and ready movement and manipulation about one, two or all three axes through the use of suitable supporting mechanism. Where the clincher arm is removed the machine then becomes capable of handling material of unlimited size, moving continuously for example in any direction relative to the machine. The machine is constructed throughout for heavy duty and for performing the same character and quality of work as machines of the usual construction heretofore, and is compactly arranged 3 and conveniently controlled to facilitate its manipulation.

It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide a stitching machine of universal application that may be brought to operative relation with the work in any relative position of the machine and work, which is conveniently arranged and supported for ready manipulation and control on the part of the operator in all positions of use, and which is of sturdy and heavy duty construction throughout and capable of performing a completely satisfactory stitching operation-r It is a further object to-provide a compact arrangement of the working parts of the machine so that it is not excessively large or cumbersome and may be readily and easily controlled and handled in the various manipulating operations, when operated either from a base or from an overhead suspension.

It is also an object to provide such a machine which is fully enclosed and protected and in which the mechanism is readily accessible and removable for adjustment or repair.

It is a further object to provide such a stitching machine incorporating a continuously running drive motor with a clutchfor establishing driving connection with the operating mechanism and an adjustable brake for checking the mechanism after the operating stroke is substantially completed and in which the mechanism may likewise be rotated by hand for purposes of testing, adjusting, etc.

It is a still further object to provide such a machine on which wire reelsof the same or of different width may be quickly and easily received and replaced and in which a predetermined degree of tension on the reel may be established and maintained.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective looking toward the'machine from the operators position and showing the machine in invertedposition and with one type of overhead suspension;

Fig. 2 is an end elevationalview from they operators end of the machine showing a modified form of overhead suspension; 3 Y

Fig. 3 is a view partially in vertical section and partially in elevation showing the operating mechanism of the machine arranged for operation in the normal position;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in elevation showing the reel and its support, and partially in vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the means for removably securing the clincher block on the clincher arm; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view looking toward the reel support in the direction of arrows 11 on Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine is shown as being substantially completely enclosed within a housing or casing Ill. The casing is enlarged at its forward end asshown at II to provide for receiving the stitcher head l3 therein, such stitcher head being of usual construction and not requiring further detailed description. It provides for forming and driving stitches along the line M as shown in Fig. 3. At

its rearward part, casing in is provided with anextension'lfi which forms a motor casing, thus completely enclosing the entire operating mechanism.

7 ,.At an intermediate point substantially on the vertical plane through the center of gravity of the mechanism, a means is provided for supporting the mechanism while permitting rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis. For this purpose a ring 20 is bolted by means of bolts 2| to a. flanged part 22 of the casing l0, and a cylindrical seat 23 (Fig. 3) is formed therebetween for receiving a ring-shaped split clamp 24 thereon. Such clamp is provided with oppositely facing projections 25 (Fig. 2) adjacent its split opening through which there passes bolt 26 which may be tightened to draw the clamp around its cylindrical seat and thereby securely retain the casing in fixed relation with the clamp. Upon loosening bolt 26, the mechanism may be rotated about its longitudinal axis while being supported in the clamp. This rotating action 'is facilitated by means of a handle 21 which is adapted to be received in a threaded aperture in the ring 20, several of such. apertures being provided in spaced relation around the periphery thereof for receiving the handle in the most convenient location.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the clamp 24 is provided with one or more raised socket portions 28 which are threaded to receive a rod 29 terminating in an upper hook member 30, to provide forsuspending the entire machine from an overhead support, such as a cable, crane, or other suitable means. The provision of a plurality of such sockets 28 makes it possible to support the ring either from above, or from a pedestal or other base support, as may be desired.

/ In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the ring 24 receives the ends of a yoke-shaped support 32 so that it is supported from opposite sides on pins 33, and may be suspended through the provision of the upper fitting 34, in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 1. With this construction the mechanism may be rocked about its transverse axis on pins 33, thus affording complete freedom of manipulation in all directions.

A clincher arm 35 is provided to effect the clinchingof the stitches as they are formed and driven by the stitcher head. Such arm supports theclincher block 36 which has a grooved seat 31 located in predetermined spaced relation with respect to the stitcher head, and substantially on the center line l4 of the. stitch. Block 36 is dovetailed intoa recess formed by a forward block 38, anda rearward block 39-, both of which are held together by means of bolts 40, with the assembly beingremovablyheld-on the outer end of the arm by means of additional bolts 4lfitting into rearward block 39. The bolts 40 and 4| provide for shifting the position of the clincher block laterally on the arm to establish proper operative relation with the stitcher head. It is thus possible to quickly remove and replace the clincher blocks when necessary, and in use they are securely held in fixed position upon the clincher arms,

In order to provide. for adjustment in the spacing. of the clincherblock with respect to the stitcher head for different work therebetween, and hence to regulate the clincher action thereof, the. clincher arm is adjustably supported from the casing. The bifurcated end 44 of the arm is bolted, to alever 45 by means of bolts 46 which facilitate. the assembly of the machine, and removal, and replacement of the clincher arm. Lever 45 is pivotally mounted upon the casing on pivot pin 48 which as will be seen from Fig. 3 is positioned. relatively close to the plane of the supporting ring 24..

Lever 45 projects. from its pivot at 48 adjacent one side of the casing, across to. the. opposite side thereof, and in order to avoid interference with the drive mechanism which is contained within the centralpart of the casing, it is made in the form f a hollow annular yokeas shown at 5.0. At its upper end, adjacent the. opposite sideof the casing,.it is formed with a bearing recessl within which there engages the end of an adjusting rod 52 which extends parallel with the wall of the casing and within a web part thereor shown at 53 forming a chamber 54.

Within chamber 54 there is positioned a coiled relief spring 55 which bears at one end against and prevents rotationv of a nut 56 which threadedly engages the rod 52. At its other end the spring 55 bears against nut 51 adjustably threaded into the wall of the casing that the initial compression or preloading of the spring can be adjusted. Rod 52 passes freely through the inwardly extending wall of the chamber and is likewise freely movable through nut 51. At its end it is keyed to a disc 58 which extends outwardly through an aperture in the casing so that its outer periphery is accessible for manual adjustment, such adjustment providing for rotation of the rod and the axial travel thereof resulting from its threaded relation with nut 56.

In operation, to provide for adjusting the position of the clincher, disc 58 is manually rotated and this in turn results in rod 52 effecting the pivoting movement of lever 45 and of clincher arm 35, by direct adjusting contact therewith. A spring 59 provides for keeping the lever 45 against theend of rod 52 when the latter is backed off, but it Will be noted that adjustment of the clincher arm in either direction takes place independentlyof relief spring 55, thus affording positive and accurate setting of the position of the clincher arm.

Where however such abnormal resistance is encountered during operation as to produce an excessive thrust upon the clincher arm, such as might cause damage to the machine, such excess load is transmitted through lever 45 into rod 52 and against nut 56. Upon the load exceeding the predetermined value for which the relief spring has been adjusted by means of the setting of nut 51, nut 56will then move to effect compression of the spring beyond that point, thereby relieving the clincher arm and avoiding damage to the machine,

It will be noted that the spring is located in a position where it does not interfere with the remaining part of the mechanism, and that further both thespring 55 and the adjusting mechanism for determining the position of the clinchor arm are preferably located as far removed from the pivot axis 48 as conveniently possible. As a result, therefore, the forces developed on the adjusting and relief mechanism are reduced to the minimum, and the adjusting movements, effected by the setting of rod 52 can be more accurately predetermined and thereafter accurately maintained in operation and use, avoiding too great sensitivity in adjustment.

The motor is formed with a forwardly extending drive shaft 62 to which is keyed the drive collar 63, and if desired may incorporate a suitable gear reduction mechanism within its housing. Bolted to the collar by means of bolts 64 is a drive disc 65 which is connected to a driven disc 66 by means of an annular body of resilient material 61 such as rubber or the like. The use of such flexible coupling has been found in some cases not to be necessary, and in such event th drive collar is connected directly to the driven collar; but, where some additional flexibility and drive is desired, the construction as shown has been found to give satisfactory results.

Thedriven disc 66 is threaded on to clutch plate 10 which, has clutch. teeth H adapted. to

be engaged by a clutch pin 12. The clutch pin is received within a recess in hub 13 and is keyed to the driven shaft 14 by key 12a. Clutch pin I2 is yieldably urged toward engaging position with clutch teeth 'II by means of spring I5 and it is withdrawn from operative position to effect disconnection of the driving engagement by means of a clutch cam I8 the upper portion of which is riveted to a lower part 18a, the latter being guided in a slot in a guide member 11 extending inwardly into and attached to the outside of the casing by means of bolts 18. The driven shaft I4 is directly connected with the cam disc 14a of the stitcher head through the drive pin 141).

Guide 11 is formed at one side with a projection which serves as a pivot 18 for a clutch actuating lever 88. Lever 88 extends transversely of the driven shaft 14 and in order to provide for the proper and compact relationship of the operatin parts, is made to pass directly through an aperture 8| in the clutch cam I8. Thus as shown at Fig. 5 one arm of the lever extends through this aperture which is suitably contoured as shown to permit of the necessary rock- 7 ing movement of the lever, connection being made at one side of the shaft with a spring 83 suitably supported from a fixed position within the casing which tends to advance the clutch cam into engaging position. At the opposite side of the casing there is positioned the solenoid 85 which has a link 86 carrying a pin 87 engageable in slot 88 of the other arm of the lever for actuation thereof against the action of spring 83 and in a direction to effect withdrawal of the clutch cam from its operativ position. Access to the interior of the casing is afiorded at o-pposite sides immediately opposite the solenoid85 and micro-switch 92, providing for removal and replacement thereof respectively by removable access plates 89. V

The hub I3 is formed with a cam track 88 against which there operates a follower 9| (Fig. 5) controlling the actuation of a micro-switch 92 supported from the inner wall of the casing substantially opposite solenoid 85. This combination of clutch actuating cam, solenoid, and microswitch provides for the actuation of the mechanism, in response to manual tripping by the operator, to connect the continuously running motor to cause the driving of the stitch forming mechanism through one revolution producing one cycle of operation, and to prevent repeat cycles until the mechanism has been again tripped by the positive action of the operator. The micro-- switch is connected in th energizin circuit of solenoid 85 and the arrangement of the cam surface is such that upon tripping of the manual control, the contacts of the microswitch are closed and the solenoid is thus energized. Upon energization, the solenoid effects withdrawal of clutch cam I8 to allow clutch pin I2 to engage clutch teeth 'II, thus establishing a driving connection for the rotation of hub I3 and the stitcher head, to form and drive a stitch. As the hub nears the end of a revolution, the cam 98 acts to open the contacts of the microswitch, deenergizing solenoid 85 and allowing spring 83 to raise clutch cam 18 to effect withdrawal of clutch pin I2, disconnecting the drive and preventing a second or repeat operation. Preferably the mechanism is constructed and operated in accordance with that shown in copending application of John F. Haunty, Serial No. 484,222, now Patent No. 2,324,888, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

In order to check the rotation of the mechanism upon the completion of such cycle of operation, and to assure that the parts will be stopped after each cycle in aproper and predetermined position in preparation for a subsequent cycle of operation, a brake means is provided. This includes a braking drum formed on hub I3 eccentrically thereof. A brake band 96 of suitable frictional material is adapted to engage the drum over approximately half the periphery thereof, the eccentricity of the drum being so related and arranged that it produces a substantially maximum extension of the brake band and hence maximum frictional drag as the stroke of operation nears completion.

One end of the band 88 is fixedly attached to a stud 91 the upper end of which is threaded to receive a nut 98, the stud being freely withdrawable through a fixed part of the casing and the nut 98 being accessible from the outside of the casing. A compression spring 99 tends to normally retain the stud in its inner position where the pull of th brake band is made effective directly against nut 98. I In this position the nut is so prevented from rotating because of its contact with the enclosing portions I88of the casing. However when the stud is manuallywithdrawn to relieve the nut, it may then be rotated and adjusted to determine the limiting position'which the stud will occupy when restored to its operative position.

At its opposite end, the band 88 is connected to a plate I82 to the upper end of which there is connected a resilient spring I83 which thus normally tends to lift the plate and hence to tighten the band on the frictional drum. The plate I82 (Fig. 3) has an enlarged aperture I84 therein which fits over the end I85 of a fixed stud I86, thus permitting only a limited tightening movement of the band. From this it will be evident that after the spring I83 has lifted the band to the limit determined by the clearance of the stud end I85 in aperture I84, further lifting of the band is prevented, and hence the force of the spring I83 is nolonger effective to continue to tighten the band against the drum. This is found especially desirable with the construction of eccentric drum as shown and described, since it provides for predetermining the tension of the spring I83 to give the desired degree of braking action when the high point of the eccentric stretches the band, but provides for quick and substantially complete release of further spring pressure and hence of further frictional drag, when the low point of the cam is opposite the band. Thus the drag is not continued throughout the entire workin stroke while the low part of the drum is opposed to the band but is relieved to avoid loss of power and unnecessary wear on the band when the braking action is not desired." g

A plurality of lubricating channels I88 extend from different parts of the casing inwardly toward the bearings and interior mechanism, such channels being closed by spring pressed ball checks 589. The device may thus be properly lubricated regardless of the position in which it is supported.

Adjacent the motor end of casing I8 a plate H8 is secured bymeanspf a series of bolts III, such plat'efcarrying 'as'an integral part thereof a hand grip IIZ'. "Such hand grip also incorporates thetrigger I I3 which provides for the control of the tripping of the mechanism, which is thus made convenient for the operator while he is holding and manipulating the machine 'to'its proper position. Suitable-electrical connections are made from the trigger II3 tothe solenoid for the controlthereof asdescribed in said applica tion of John F. Haunty. Themotormay be placed in operation through the operation of the auxiliary control switch. I.

Since the present device isadapted for operation in different positions of adjustment about the longitudinal axis of the machine, the plate H is symmetrically arranged so-that it can be secured upon the end of the motor casing inany one of a number of different positions, four such positions being available with the particular arrangement shown, to thus place the-hand gripI ii! in the most convenient position for use by the operator regardless of theposition of adjustment of the machine itself.

It is sometimes found desirable to producemanual operation of the mechanism, such as for the purpose of adjusting the various parts of the stitcher or clincher mechanism, and in the present case with the mechanism substantially entirely enclosed, it is necessary to provide some means for this purpose. Accordingly, a hand wheel I having suitable grooves therein to permit of its being properly gripped by the operator, is mounted coaxial with the motorshaft, and is arranged with a clutch IEI (Fig. 3) which may be moved inwardly in an axial direction to effect engagement with the motor shaft, thereby securing direct rotation of the shaft of the motor. Spring means I22 normally maintains the hand wheel out of driving engagementwith the motor shaft. Also to permit of tripping the clutch operation and thus effectively rotating the entire mechanism from the hand wheel I20, an aperture I23'is provided in the casing in line with lever 80, and by inserting a suitable tool through aperture I23 to engage the arm of the lever and withdraw clutch cam 16 against the action of spring 83, the clutch is engaged and, the entire operation, can then be carried out by rotation of hand wheel I20.

With a, machine of'the present construction it becomes necessary to replace the reel containing the wire which is fed to the mechanism more or less frequently and it is desirable to be able to do so rapidly and easily and withoutaltering the tension or drag which is app e o e I after the machine has been properly adjusted. For this purpose a stud Iprojects outwardly from the casing on which is rotatably mounted a dished reel engaging member I3I the dished central part thereof providing clearance to receive the usual' nut on the outer face of the reel itself, and the outer part being formedwith a plurality of outwardly directed flanged fingers I32 bearing against the face of'the spool I33 well.outwardly of the axis thereof. The member I3I isurged against the faceof the spoolby spring I34 which bears against a friction surface I35 thereof, such movement on stud I30 being limitedby means of collar I36 thereon.

A similar dished engaging member. I38 is rotatably mounted in .a. socket I 39 formed inbracket i 56, pin I iI carried by the bracket having a flange I42 thereon retaining theparts in assembled relation. Member l'38, like member I3I, engages the side face of: the spool andis rotated therewith as the Wire is withdrawn by the operation of the machine, the-desired frictional drag force being developed at the relatively moving surfaces where member I38 issupported in its socket I39.

Bracket I i'sadjustably supported by arm I44 which has an elongated slot I45 therein through which there projects the screws I48 secured to the end of the bracket. By loosening the screws, the bracket may be moved on the arm and the support thus adapted for receiving reels of different width. Arm 144 is pivot mounted on pin :48 carried by-a part of the casing, and on the extended part I49 thereof carries a latch plunger I50, urged by spring I5I to latching engagement with fixed abutment I52. The latch may be manually withdrawn by means of handle part I53 to release the plunger and to thereby provide for the swinging of the arm and the bracket to a release position where the reel may be removed and replaced on stud I30. With the construction as disclosed, neither this operation nor the resetting of the support for a-reel of difi'erent width necessitates any change in the frictional drag imposed on the unwinding of the reel.

Cross reference ismade to applications Serial Nos. 591,897 and 591,898, filed May 4, 1945, as divisions of the present application.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A stitching machine of the character described which comprises a casing having a generally cylindrical portion located substantially centrally thereof, stitching mechanism located within said housing including a motor, a stitcher head, and transmission mechanism for driving said stitcher head from said motor, a clincher arm carried by said casing and supported outwardly thereof in position to support the work material and to clinch the stitches as driven by said stitching mechanism, and a supporting clamping member engaging said cylindrical portion and providing for rotation of said casing about the longitudinal axis thereof.

2. A stitching machine of the character described which comprises a casing having a generally cylindrical portion located substantially centrally thereof, stitching mechanism located within said casing including a motor, a stitcher head, and transmission mechanism for driving said stitcher head from said motor, a clincher arm carried by said casing and supported outwardly thereof in position to support-the work material and to clinch the stitches as driven by said stitching mechanism, a supporting clamping member engaging said cylindrical portion and providing for rotation of said casing about the longitudinal axis thereof, and means for retaining said casing in a predetermined adjusted position with respect to said clamping member.

3. In a stitching mechanism of the character described, a casing, a stitcher head supported by said casing, drive means carried by said casing for actuating said stitcher head, a clincher arm extending from one side of said casing and cooperating with said stitcher head to provide for clinching the legs Of the stitch, said clincher arm having a part connected therewith and extendin adjacent the opposite side of said casing for adjusting the spacing of said clincher arm with respect to said'stitcher head, and a manually operable control accessible from the exterior of said casing for directly engagingsaid part and predetermining the setting of said clincher arm.

4. In a stitching mechanism of thecharacter described, a casing, a stitcher head supported by said casing, drive means carried by said casing for actuating said stitcher head, a clincher arm, and means for pivotally mounting said clincher arm on said casing providing for adjustment of the spacing thereof with respect to said stitcher head including a lever connected with said clincher arm, and means operable from outside said casing and directly engaging said lever for effecting adjustment in the position thereof and of said clincher arm.

5. In a stitching mechanism of the character described, a casing, a stitcher head supported by said casing, drive means carried by said casing for actuating said stitcher head, a clincher arm, and means for pivotally mounting said clincher arm on said housing providing for adjustment of the spacing thereof with respect to said stitcher head including a lever connected with said clincher arm and having a hollow yoke-shaped part encircling the central portion of the space within said casing, and means operable from outside said casing and directly engaging said lever for effecting adjustment in the position thereof and of said clincher arm.

6. In a stitching mechanism of the character described, a casing, a stitcher head supported by said casing, drive means carried by said casing for actuating said stitcher head, a clincher arm extending from one side of said casing, and means for pivotally mounting said clincher arm on said casing adjacent said one side thereof providing for adjustment of the spacing thereof with respect to said stitcher head including a lever connected with said clincher arm and extending adjacent the opposite side of said casing, and means operable from outside said casing and directly engaging said lever adjacent said opposite side of the casing and spaced from said pivotal mounting for effecting adjustment in the position of said lever and of said clincher arm.

'7. A stitching machine of the character described which comprises a casing having a supporting part located substantially centrally thereof providing for supporting said machine in different positions relatively rotated with respect to the axis thereof, a stitcher head, a drive motor, said casing having a forwardly extending portion for housing said stitcher head and a rearwardly extending part housing said drive motor, a hand grip for said mechanism, and means for attaching said hand grip to said rearwardly extending part in different positions to maintain a desired location thereof throughout the different positions in which said machine is supported.

8. A stitching machine of the character described which comprises casing means having a supporting part located substantially centrally thereof providing for supporting said machine in different positions relatively rotated with respect to the horizontal axis thereof, a stitcher head, a drive motor, said casing means having a forwardly extending portion for housing said stitcher head and a rearwardly extending part housing said drive motor, a hand grip for said mechanism, means for attaching said hand grip to the remote end of said motor casing part in different positions to maintain a desired location thereof throughout the different positions in which said machine is supported, and a second hand grip adjustably positioned on said casing means in different locations closely adjacent said central support.

9. In a stitching mechanism of the character described, an enclosing housing, a stitcher head within said housing, a clincher arm, means for mounting said clincher arm for adjusting movement toward and away from said stitcher head, a member enclosed by said casing and movable in translation directly engaging a part of said clincher arm to provide direct adjusting movement thereof, a manually operable control element directly connected with said member and accessible from outside said casing for effecting movement thereof, and a pre-loaded resilient means enclosed by said casing adapted to yield in response to an excessive load on said clincher arm to allow movement thereof away from said stitch forming mechanism.

10. In a stitching mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, a stitcher head within said casing, a clincher arm, means for mounting said clincher arm for adjusting movement toward and away from said stitcher head, a member enclosed by said casing and movable in translation directly engaging a part of said clincher arm to provide direct adjusting movement thereof, an abutment engaged by said member for receiving the thrust developed in said arm during the clinching of the stitch, a pro-loaded spring normally retaining said abutment in predetermined fixed position and adapted to yield in response to an excessive load to allow said arm to move with respect to said stitch forming mechanism, said abutment and said spring being enclosed within said casing, and a manually operable control element accessible from outside said casing and directly connected with said member for predetermining the normal position thereof and of said clincher arm in said fixed position of said abutment.

11. A stitching mechanism of the character described which comprises casing means, stitching mechanism in said casing means, a motor and drive means within said casing means, means for supporting said casing means for adjustment about the longitudinal axis thereof to provide for forming and driving the stitches indifferent directions, a control handle adjacent one end of said casing means for controlling the operation of said mechanism and guiding and determining the position at which the stitches are made, means associated with said handle for controlling the actuation of said mechanism in the stitching operation, and means providing for adjustably receiving said handle and said control means associated therewith on said casing in a plurality of positions of adjustment thereof about said longitudinal axis to provide for control of the actuation thereof in any of said positions.

12. A stitching mechanism of the character described which comprises casing means, stitching mechanism in said casing means, a motor and drive means within said casing means, means for supporting said casing means for adjustment about a longitudinal axis to provide fordriving the stitches in different directions, a manually operable member at one end of said casing means, clutch means providing for direct engagement of said manually operable member with the drive shaft of said motor to provide for manual rotation thereof upon engagement, and yieldable means for normally retaining said manually operable member in position where said clutch is disengaged.

' WILLIAM R. SPILLER.

LEO D. BARLEY. 

